12.3. The reviewed European social agenda

 

Social Europe has achieved a lot so far including more and better jobs, the possibility of working abroad, an easy access to medical treatment when travelling, social security coverage abroad, more equal treatment of women and men, fight against discrimination, social partnership improving working conditions, tackling poverty together and healthier workplaces. On 2^nd July 2008, the EC adopted a reviewed social agenda aimed in particular at fighting discrimination, property and differences among European regions. Initiatives foreseen by the new social agenda fall into 7 priority sectors:

·         Infancy and youth;

·         investment in human resources;

·         mobility;

·         longer life and better quality of life;

·         fight against poverty and social exclusion;

·         fight against discrimination and promotion and promotion of gender equality

·         opportunity, access and solidarity on the global scene

 

To this end, the European Commission intends to make use of different tools including:

·         new legislation;

·         social dialogue;

·         cooperation with Member States

·         community financial resources (e.g. structural funds and the PROGRESS fund);and

·         communication tools

 

The main initiatives are:

·         social inclusion including a proposal of a new legislative text non –discrimination for a variety of reasons (e.g. religion, handicap, age and improvement of Roma inclusion);

·         social dialogue including a legislative proposal to improve the role of European works Councils (EWCs) currently operating in 820 mayor companies across the EU and covering some 14.5 million employees;

·         public health including European cooperation of health systems and patient rights in cross-border health care. A draft directive on patient’s rights in cross-border health care was adopted on 2 July 2008;

·         education and youth including council’s recommendation on volunteers mobility, school cooperation and educational systems and a green paper on immigration and instruction;

·         e-health initiatives to improve safety and quality of patients such as the Recommendation on cross-border interoperability of electronic clinical files and the “ Smart Open Services” project.

 

Moreover, the European Commission has recently issued a communication on “ A renewed commitment to Social Europe: Reinforcing the open Method of Coordination for social protection and Social inclusion”.

Member States have freely chosen to coordinate their efforts to ensure social inclusion and social protection of their citizens. This is called the “open method of coordination”, because it respects the Member States diversity and social preferences, but helps them to “learn from each other” and to address together the problems they are increasingly sharing. Through the open method of coordination, Member States have defined common objectives and common indicators and have undertaken to report regularly on their policies and achievements. However, much more can be done. This is why the Commission has proposed to reinforce the open method of coordination in the social field.

The Commission has proposed to boost cooperation among Member States with a view to making their social protection and social inclusion policies more effective and more responsive to the needs of society. This proposal seeks to have a fourfold impact:

·         greater political commitment and visibility:

The commitments made and the process for delivering should become better known to citizens and to the institutions (including the European Parliament). The objectives should be linked to quantitative targets whenever possible.

 

·         better interaction with other European policies:

Many policies have an impact on social cohesion. Therefore, the social objectives should not be confined to social policies but should be duly taken into account during policy formulation.

 

·         more in-depth knowledge of the issues at stake:

Evidence-based policies are the most effective policies. Accordingly, the Commission intends to expand data collection and enhance capacity on social issues.

 

·         greater ownership to boost implementation:

The success of the open method of coordination depends very much on the commitment of Member States and on the active involvement of all relevant actors. New tools for improving involvement, exchanges and mutual learning will add to the benefits of coordination and consolidate the commitment of Member States. The improvements proposed should create a new dynamism in promoting and implementing reforms, aimed at developing modern, sustainable and equitable welfare systems. Over time, they should reinforce the capacity of Members States to develop and implement the policies necessary to avoid social exclusion in achieving adequate and sustainable healthcare and long-term care. The Social Open Method of Coordination is an instrument for all those with a stake in policies intended to address poverty or to promote sustainable and socially adequate social protection systems.